Bob Light

For the New Mexico politician, see Robert Light.
Bob Light
Biographical details
Born(1927-04-27)April 27, 1927
St. Louis, Missouri, U.S.
DiedMay 11, 2015(2015-05-11) (aged 88)
Lenoir, North Carolina, U.S.
Playing career
1946–1950Washington University
Coaching career (HC unless noted)
Basketball
1957–1972Appalachian State
Tennis
1974–1988Appalachian State

Robert George Light (April 27, 1927 – May 11, 2015) of Boone, North Carolina, was an American basketball and tennis coach for Appalachian State University.[1]

Light was a standout basketball and Tennis player for Washington University in St. Louis from 1946 to 1950, and was named the school's most outstanding athlete for the 1949–50 year.[2] From 1957 to 1972, Light served as the head basketball coach for Appalachian State, compiling a 212-179 (.542) record. His 15 seasons mark the longest tenure in Mountaineer history. In 1974, Light was named head tennis coach and went on to win 255 matches in that capacity.[3]

Light, a member of the Washington University and Appalachian State athletic Halls of Fame, as well as the North Carolina Tennis Hall of Fame, died on May 11, 2015, at the age of 88.[3]

He resided in Boone, NC with his wife, the former Patricia Parker of Jerseyville, Illinois, from 1957 until he entered palliative care in Lenoir, NC. Together they had four sons.

References

  1. ^ "Robert George Light obituary". Hampton Funeral Service. Retrieved May 16, 2015.
  2. ^ "WashU Mourns the Loss of Sports Hall of Famer Bob Light". Washington University in St. Louis. May 12, 2015. Retrieved May 16, 2015.
  3. ^ a b Bowman, Tommy (May 11, 2015). "Light, longtime coach at Appalachian State, dies at 88". Winston-Salem Journal. Retrieved May 16, 2015.